Erie Woman Admits Dealing Fentanyl

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Tiesha Lasha Henderson, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 15, 2017, Henderson possessed with intent to distribute 67.27 grams of fentanyl. The fentanyl was discovered when members of the Erie County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Henderson’s residence in Erie, Pennsylvania. According to information provided to the court, Henderson attempted to flush the fentanyl down the toilet before officers executed the warrant. The fentanyl was packaged in three baggies, one of which had been diluted or “cut” for redistribution to other individuals in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for December 11, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years to a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Erie County Detective Bureau, the Erie Police Department, the Millcreek Township Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Henderson.